Volunteers

There are two groups of volunteers who help during an oil spill. Convergent (spontaneous) volunteers and participating organization (pre-trained, ongoing) volunteers.

Convergent Volunteers

Individuals who come forward to help cleanup efforts after hearing of the spill from the media or other sources. Convergent volunteers can work in wildlife rehabilitation facilities, volunteer operations center, and other locations.

If you are interested in volunteering and being contacted for help during a spill, please fill out the volunteer form. Alternatively, when a large spill occurs, the media helps recruit volunteers to come and lend a hand. If you choose to come forward after media notification, you will fill out a volunteer form at the volunteer operation center.

Additionally, volunteers will be required to fill out state forms (to ensure that costs and any injuries that occur during volunteering are covered) and attend a formal introductory and safety presentation. Once this is completed, the volunteer can assist in the spill response.

Participating Organization Volunteers

Members of organized groups or professional associations trained to perform tasks and functions related to oil spill response.

Pre-trained volunteers are identified by and work under guidance from an OWCN participating organization. These trainings teach techniques needed for oiled wildlife care and how to supervise convergent volunteers during a spill response. Selection of volunteers to attend OWCN trainings is based on

* animal handling experience in high stress situations
* dependability and willingness to be available to work
* effective communication skills

All OWCN trainings are California Department of Fish and Game approved. This means that they count toward wildlife rehabilitators' annual training session requirement.

To become part of a participating organization's volunteer force, please contact your closest participating organization. For more information, contact OWCN volunteer coordinator January Bill at (530) 752-5603.

All OWCN trainings are California Department of Fish and Game approved. This means that they count toward wildlife rehabilitators' annual training session requirement.

For more information, contact OWCN volunteer coordinator January Bill at (530) 754-4603.

Click here to update your contact information. Please click here to inform us if you wish to be removed from the list. Please use a subject header of "Volunteer Information."

Participant Volunteer Information

• Forms
• Supply Requests
• Updates
• Training Schedule and Signup

 

Notice on Upcoming Trainings

In alignment with its mission, the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) continues to provide oil-affected wildlife trainings for participating organizations. Each participating organization completed an agreement with OWCN and the Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR). This memorandum of agreement recognized participant organization’s ability to significantly contribute in the event of a spill affecting wildlife and gave assurances that spill-related training would be provided. This past year OWCN successfully completed its eleventh year of reaching out to partnered organizations and providing key trainings. In 2006, we held four trainings throughout California. These trainings included Basic Skills, Advanced Skills and Continuing Education. We trained 80 people in oil-affected wildlife spill response and of those 80 people, more than half were new to oil spill response work. The OWCN trainings have been dynamic since their inception. There has been continual improvement of the trainings and specific development to meet the needs of participant personnel as well as oil-affected wildlife. In keeping with the desire to make improvements and increase the number of trained personnel, a new training program has been developed. During 2007, the program will be re-designed and expanded to improve response efficiency and the care for oil-affected wildlife. These newly designed trainings will start in early 2008. It is our hope that this training program will facilitate and expand current knowledge of oiled wildlife rehabilitation and further develop a community of oiled wildlife rehabilitators and responders. This program will seek more involvement from the talented and knowledgeable staff and volunteers currently within the Network. New course descriptions and schedule will be available in fall of 2007. Additionally, these trainings will satisfy the continuing education requirement for Department of Fish and Game wildlife rehabilitators.

Scheduled Training Sessions

Guidelines for recommending attendees for OWCN training (pdf, 72 KB)

 

| Last updated: May 2, 2008